Lock for garbage can covers

ABSTRACT

A lock for garbage can covers, which in one form is a strap which extends across the top of the can, engaging the cover, with loop formations on the ends of the strap which are adapted to fit within the confines of the handles carried by the garbage can or container, there being means on the outer leg of the loop releasably to engage the bases of the handles, thus to lock the cover in place. Specifically, the outer leg of the loop carries indentations into which the bases of the handles fit, and the loop is narrow enough to permit the same to be moved toward the garbage can, thus to release the handles from the indentations. An alternate form is provided in which the loop retaining means are on the ends of separately formed straps, which straps are secured to the top of the cover.

[ 51 May 8,1973

[54] LOCK FOR GARBAGE CAN COVERS [76] Inventor: Noel Hyde, 305 Park Road, Pleasant Grove, Ala. 35127 [22] Filed: Nov. 26, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 202,107

Primary ExaminerMarvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-William F. Pate, lll Attorney-Hugh P. Carter et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A lock for garbage can covers, which in one form is a strap which extends across the top of the can, engaging the cover, with loop formations on the ends of the strap which are adapted to fit within the confines of the handles carried by the garbage can or container, there being means on the outer leg of the loop releasably to engage the bases of the handles, thus to lock the cover in place. Specifically, the outer leg of the loop carries indentations into which the bases of the handles fit, and the loop is narrow enough to permit the same to be moved toward the garbage can, thus to release the handles from the indentations. An alternate form is provided in which the loop retaining means are on the ends of separately formed straps, which straps are secured to the top of the cover.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures LOCK FOR GARBAGE CAN CGVERS My invention relates tomeans to lock the lids of garbage cans or containers into place and has for an object the provision of lock means which may embody a narrow st eelstrap member adapted to extend across the cover and having loop formations on each end thereof adaptedv releasably to engage the bases of the handles carried by the'garbage can.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character indicated in which the loops may carry indentations on the outer legs thereof adapted to receive the bases of the garbage can handles, the loops being of such shape that they may be pushed inwardly, either one at a time or both at a time, to disengage the handles, whereby when disengaged the device may be moved vertically relative to the handles, thus to free the top of the can for removal.

In an alternate form an object of my invention is to provide a pair of such strap devices, secured to thetop of the lid, and each provided with one of the loop formations adapted to extend between the sides of the handle, with the indentations on the outer leg of the loop formation disposed to releasably engage the bases of the handles.

A garbage can lock illustrating features of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical side elevational view of a garbage can with my improved lock in place thereon;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail fragmental view of one of the ends of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dotted line position showing the position of the parts ready for the locking device to be raised vertically from the top of the can; and,

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 and showing a modified form of the invention. 1

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, I illustrate my invention in association with a garbage can which carries the usual lid 11 having a handle 12. Also, the can carries diametrically disposed handles 13 which may be pivoted to the can as shown in FIG. 3 by means of straps 14. Also, and as is understood, the handles comprise side legs 16 and the base or connecting portion 17.

My improved locking device is indicated generally by the numeral 18 and as shown comprises a length of relatively narrow steel, for instance, galvanized steel of about 16 gauge, and about 1% inches wide as viewed in plan.

On each end of the strap I provide a loop formation indicated generally at 19 and which comprises an outer leg portion 21 and an inner leg portion 22. The inner leg terminates as indicated and is secured as by welding to the underside of the central portion of the locking device in the area indicated generally by the numeral 23.

As illustrated, and describing only one end of the device, the loop is of a size as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 to fit within the confines of the handle 13, that is, to pass between the legs 16 thereof. The outer leg 21 of the loop is provided with one or more indentations 24, suitably vertically positioned relative to the handle 13 so that when the handle is raised outwardly to generally 6 While I have described but one of the loops it will be understood that on the, opposite end of the strap an additional, identical loop is provided. Further at its center the strap is provided with the handle section 25 sized to fit over the handle carried by the cover.

From the foregoing the advantages and method of constructing and using my invention will be readily understood. With the lid 11 on the garbage can 10 the same may be locked in place simply by placing my improved device 18 over the top of the can, moving the handles of the can generally to horizontal position and inserting the loop formations 19. into the handles so that the base 17 of each of the handles 13 snaps into or becomes engaged in one of the appropriate depressions 24. The lid is now securely locked to the can by the strap 18 through handles 13.

It will be noted that by pressing inwardly on the loop portion it moves to the dotted line position indicated in FIG. 3, that is, toward the side of the can, whereupon the base 17 of the handle 13 may be disengaged from the indentation 24, whereby the loop end thus disengaged may be moved upwardly or vertically relative to the can itself. It will also be noted that by releasing one of the loop sections 19 from one of the handles 13 the entire device may be pivoted vertically upwardly and over the can while still maintainin the notch 24 engaged with the handle 13 on the opposite side, permitting the lid 11 to be removed for placing garbage in the can. This is possible because the legs 22, from the point 23 where they are attached to the underside of the strap proper, diverge outwardly and away from the sides of the can 10, permitting the device in effect to pivot about the opposite handle 13 when one loop is disengaged, thus to be raised clear of the lid 1 1.

In FIG. 41 I show substantially the same concept except that instead of the strap continuing all the way across the lid I secure the loop formations 19 to the lid itself by welding or otherwise attaching the same in the area indicated in FIG. 1 by the numeral 26. In other words, these loop formations 19 in FIG. 4 are secured to the lid itself, there being two of them, of course, one for each handle 13. Insofar as function is concerned the modification of FIG. 4 functions identically with the one shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive.

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised an improved lock for maintaining in place the lid of a garbage can, preventing dogs and other animals from gaining access to the can and yet providing means for readily removing the cover whenever needed. By providing the loop formations with the indentations or equivalent means in the surface of the outer leg the device is readily engaged and disengaged from the bases of the handles 13.

While I have shown my invention in but two forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, bus is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a lock for the cover of a garbage can, said can being of the type having U-shaped handles diametrically located on its vertical side walls,

a. a strap member on top of the cover having at least one end disposed releasably to engage the base of at least one of said handles and configured as follows:

l. a closed loop formation having inner and outer 2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the handle legs disposed for a lower portion thereof to fit engaging means on the outer leg of the loop is an inwithin the confines of the handle when the same dentation in the surface thereof into which the base of is generally in horizontal position, the handle fits. 2. means on the outer leg of the loop to engage and 5 3. A device as defined in claim 1 which is in the form lock the same to th ba e f th h dl d of a strap passing over the top of the cover, there being 3. the dimensions of the portion of the loop inside one of said p fm'mations each end of the Strap h h dl b i h h by moving the loop constructed and arragned as set forth in claim 1. toward h can the means locking the outer leg 4. A device as defined in claim 1 in which there are separately formed strap members secured to the cover, engaged th f permitting the loop to be each of the same carrying one of said handle engaging moved generally vertically out of the confines of loops constructed and arranged as defined in claim 1. the handle.

of the loop to the base of the handle may be dis- 

1. In a lock for the cover of a garbage can, said can being of the type having U-shaped handles diametrically located on its vertical side walls, a. a strap member on top of the cover having at least one end disposed releasably to engage the base of at least one of said handles and configured aS follows:
 1. a closed loop formation having inner and outer legs disposed for a lower portion thereof to fit within the confines of the handle when the same is generally in horizontal position,
 2. means on the outer leg of the loop to engage and lock the same to the base of the handle, and
 3. the dimensions of the portion of the loop inside the handle being such that by moving the loop toward the can the means locking the outer leg of the loop to the base of the handle may be disengaged therefrom, permitting the loop to be moved generally vertically out of the confines of the handle.
 2. means on the outer leg of the loop to engage and lock the same to the base of the handle, and
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 in which the handle engaging means on the outer leg of the loop is an indentation in the surface thereof into which the base of the handle fits.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1 which is in the form of a strap passing over the top of the cover, there being one of said loop formations on each end of the strap constructed and arragned as set forth in claim
 1. 3. the dimensions of the portion of the loop inside the handle being such that by moving the loop toward the can the means locking the outer leg of the loop to the base of the handle may be disengaged therefrom, permitting the loop to be moved generally vertically out of the confines of the handle.
 4. A device as defined in claim 1 in which there are separately formed strap members secured to the cover, each of the same carrying one of said handle engaging loops constructed and arranged as defined in claim
 1. 